The Best Water Dispensers for Home and Office Use (2019 Update)

Water dispensers are an important modern convenience at home and in most workplaces. Proper hydration, especially from plain water, is important for staying healthy.

But a water dispenser needs to be convenient and easy to use to be effective. After all, the goal is to make it easier to stay hydrated. A dispenser that is difficult to use or maintain won’t help.

So, we’ve done the research, and picked 10 of the best water dispensers. These machines are all suitable for home and office use. Each offers a different combination of features, so you can pick the best one to meet your goals.

10 Best Water Dispensers - Review

While you’re reading our guide to the best water dispensers, think about which features you need most. Water temperature and quality are only the first part of the equation. Also think about dispenser maintenance, where you want to put it, and what extra features would work best for your needs.

1. Brio Bottom-Loading Water Dispenser

Brio’s bottom-loading water dispenser is a sleek, modern-looking appliance. It avoids looking like a cubicle water cooler. By hiding the water jug in the bottom part of the dispenser Brio’s dispenser will fit in to break room décor. It's also an attractive addition to any kitchen.

Offering three temperature settings, cold, cool, and hot, Brio’s water dispenser is also able to meet a wide range of water needs. Perfect for making hot beverages and instant meals, the water dispenser also provides water cold enough to drink without ice.

The dispenser is compatible with most 3- and 5-gallon jugs. Since they don’t need a branded water jug, you can use one you already have.

You may want to use pre-filtered water with this dispenser. It avoids extra maintenance steps by not filtering the water.

The hot water button also comes with a child-lock. You don’t need to worry about toddlers and small children accidentally hurting themselves.

This dispenser also features LED lights indicating when the jug needs to be replaced. It also has lights to tell you when hot or cold water is ready.

Since the dispenser is designed for bottom loading it’s easier to replace the water. You won’t need to lift and flip a large jug. It’s easier on your back and shoulders. Bottom loading the jug also makes avoiding spills easier.

What We Liked:

Compatible with 3 and 5-gallon jugs

Sleek design

3 water temperature choices

Hot water child lock

Convenient LED indicator lights

Dishwasher-safe spill tray for easy cleaning

What We Didn’t Like:

No filtration system

Likely to need several replacement bottles for large families or office use.

2. Honeywell Anti-Bacterial Chemical Free Water Dispenser

This Honeywell dispenser is a great option if you’re concerned about bacteria transfer in busy offices. It’s as good at preventing illness in large family homes. It's also great for immune-compromised family members.

The Honeywell water dispenser features a unique bacteria-fighting disk in the cool-water tubing. The disk filters and catches bacteria without adding chemicals or other contaminants to the water.

The bacteria-fighting power of Honeywell’s unique disk is certified by the Water Quality Association of America (WQA). It also meets the NFS and ANSI standards for reducing and eliminating 42 different types of bacterial contamination.

Honeywell didn’t sacrifice in other areas to get anti-bacterial features in their water dispenser. It’s also a sleek, bottom loading, water dispenser. Like Brio’s bottom loading dispenser, it is compatible with 3- and 5-gallon jugs.

It also offers hot and cool water. The hot water goes up to 194 degrees Fahrenheit, a good 10 degrees hotter than most water dispensers. Although that hot water may be an advantage for making hot meals, tea, and coffee, it’s also more of a burn risk.

Honeywell did reduce the risk of burns and accidents by adding a child safety lock to the hot water tab.

The water cooler is made from stainless steel, copper, aluminum, and food-safe plastics.

This water dispenser advertises cold water, but it's more likely to be cool. The cooler is only rated to reduce the water temperature to under 50 degrees Fahrenheit. That's cooler than room temperature, but still warm enough you may want some ice.

What We Didn’t Like:

3. Primo Top-Loading Water Dispenser

Primo is a top name in the water dispenser business. Their products are high quality and durable.

They’re also designed to provide the highest quality water.

Primo’s water dispensers should be used with their specific brand of water. Primo has a 9-step filtration process. Their process includes traditional filtering types as well as UV sterilization. Primo also adds minerals for taste. Since the whole system is controlled and quality-monitored, you know you’re getting safe, tasty, water.

Yet, because Primo’s water dispensers are meant to work with their filtered water, there is no water filter built into the dispenser.

Using their water is easy in urban areas. They offer bottle exchanges, reusing your old bottle and giving you a filled one. You can also go to filling stations with your old bottle and fill it yourself.

But, Primo may not be a good option if you are in a rural area. Getting their water is more of a challenge outside of cities. You can use their jug and your own water, but you won’t get the filtration benefits.

Their jugs also offer a leak-guard system that makes it easier to trade out jugs. You’re much less likely to spill using their jugs, keeping their filtered water for drinking only, not mopping the floor.

This water dispenser is also energy-star rated, saving you money on your monthly utility bills.

Primo’s water dispenser offers three water settings. Their cool setting is slightly colder than room temperature. Hot water comes out steaming, around 180 degrees Fahrenheit. The cold water is icy, you won’t need ice cubes.

The hot water setting also has a child-lock to prevent burns and accidents. The dispenser's two indicator lights will tell you when the hot or cold water is ready. There isn't an indicator for jug replacement since it's a top-loading dispenser and the water jug is visible.

What We Didn’t Like:

4. New Air WAT20W Water Dispenser

The New Air water dispenser isn’t as sleek as some of the other dispensers on this list. But, it’s still a high-quality dispenser with many important features.

New Air’s water dispenser is energy star certified. It will save you money month over month in cheaper electricity bills.

The water jugs and dispensers are also 100% BPA free. Despite not using BPA, a common plastic strengthener, the jugs as still durable and re-usable.

New Air’s dispenser design also includes a jug spike that helps prevent spills. The spike also makes it easier to load and correctly position water jugs.

It's also a low-maintenance unit. You will only need to clean the water reservoir every three months. New Air recommends using a vinegar and water mixture to clean the unit. You can also use lemon juice or another acidic liquid. Simply run the cleaning solution through to thoroughly rinse every surface.

The hot water faucet also comes with a child safety lock. You have to press two buttons at once to get hot water. The buttons are also spaced apart for extra safety.

Cold water is chilled to 39 degrees Fahrenheit, only 6 degrees above freezing. The hot water comes out at 185 degrees. Hot enough to steam, and to brew coffee or tea, but not quite boiling.

This dispenser also allows you to turn off the hot water function when it’s not needed. Turning off the hot water adds to your energy savings. Keeping water hot is one of the highest energy uses for a water dispenser.

The water tank is made from food-safe stainless steel, so your water won’t pick up any flavor from the tank. It’ll taste crisp and fresh no matter how long it’s been sitting.

What We Didn’t Like:

5. Clover B14A Hot and Cold Water Dispenser

The Clover B14 is another top-loading water dispenser with a variety of functional features that make it perfect for home use. It will also fit right in in an office break room or cafeteria.

The stand-out feature of the B14 is its adjustable cold-water settings. It supports temperatures between 35.6 degrees Fahrenheit and 53.6 degrees Fahrenheit. You can set it to almost freezing for hot summer months. Or you can warm the cold water to almost room-temperature in the fall and winter, so your water doesn’t add to the chill.

It also offers hot water. The B14 heats to 185 degrees Fahrenheit. 185 degrees is the industry standard. It's hot enough to steam but short of boiling.

The B14 is also a low-maintenance machine. You’ll need to occasionally wipe down the outside for dust and water stains. It also has a drip tray that should be washed occasionally.

While you cannot adjust the temperature of the hot water, you can turn it off. Turning off the hot water when you don't need it saves electricity. In the long run, that means a lower utility bill each month.

Clover’s water cooler also has an energy star rating. It meets EPA standards for energy efficiency.

Both the hot- and cold water coolers are made from food-safe stainless steel. The steel won't change the taste of your water, even if it sits in the tank for a few days at a time.

What We Liked:

Energy Star Rating

Adjustable Cold Water Temperature

Stainless Steel water coolers

Easy maintenance

Water heater power switch

What We Didn’t Like:

6. Avalon A1 Hot and Cold Water Dispenser

The Avalon A1 water dispenser shines if you need a water dispenser with a small floor plan. It’s designed to fit into tight corners and small spaces. It’s perfect for crowded offices, as well as small homes and apartments.

Although the paddle spouts are easy to use, you don’t need to worry about accidental burns from the hot water. The child lock requires you to press a second button to dispense hot water.

The A1 produces hot water at 185 degrees Fahrenheit. The industry standard hot water setting is perfect for hot beverages and instant meals. The A1 also has a compressor to produce cold water. It's very quick and efficient but only cools the water to 47 degrees Fahrenheit, a bit warmer than most water dispensers.

The floorplan of this dispenser is a little under 1-foot square, so it should fit into almost any space. It does need a nearby outlet.

The top-loading water jug makes it easy to see when you need to replace the water. But, top loading water dispensers can be harder to refill. You're also more likely to spill.

What We Like:

Hot water saves time making food and beverages

Small floorplan for tight spaces

Easy to use faucet tabs

Child safety hot-water lock

Energy Star Certified

What We Didn’t Like:

7. Whirlpool Commercial Water Dispenser

Although the Whirlpool Water Dispenser was designed with commercial use in mind, it's still suitable for in-home use. The biggest difference between this commercial water dispenser and a normal one is that this model is more durable. It's perfect for families with lots of hyper kids!

The Whirlpool water dispenser also uses a different cooling method. Instead of a compressor, the Whirlpool maintains a large cube of ice. The cold water runs past the ice as it's needed, instantly cooling it.

The result is 40-degree Fahrenheit water, 8 degrees above freezing. It’s consistency also means you won’t need to wait for its compressor to catch up if you need a lot of cold water at once.

Since its compressor is doing less of the work, Whirlpool’s dispenser will also last years longer than a standard water dispenser.

The cold-rolled steel sides will resist denting and other damage. The frame can survive 300 lbs of top-weight, undamaged. Whirlpool has also designed more durable water faucets. You can count on every part of this water dispenser.

Whirlpool is an industry leader in all water appliances. They are a trusted brand because they design for durability and long-lasting products.

It also features a stainless-steel exterior. It’s attractive despite the top-loading jug.

One of the few areas this isn’t a stand-out water dispenser is the hot water. It only heats water to industry standard. But, that’s still more than hot enough for most uses.

8. Avalon A5 Bottleless Water Dispenser

We wanted to make sure we included at least one bottle-less water dispenser on this list. Bottleless dispensers all need installation. But you don't need to keep water around once they're installed.

Fortunately, the A5 is simple to install. It connects directly to the cold water main. The A5 comes with everything you need for installation. The main limitation is that it must be placed somewhere with access to your water lines. Usually, you can set them up in your kitchen.

In an office, you should be able to connect it in break rooms or your office cafeteria. You should consult with a plumber before buying a bottle-less water dispenser so you can plan its location.

The A5 also comes with built-in filters. The filters only need to be replaced once every six months of average use. They also ensure that you get consistently clean and tasty water.

Besides filtering your water and saving you money, the A5 has an Energy Star Certification. The A5 will save you money on your utility bills as well.This is a low-maintenance dispenser. It’s self-cleaning, so you don’t need to worry about any of the internal mechanisms. Only the filters need regular attention, every six months. The only other cleanup is wiping down the outside.

The A5 also features a child lock on the hot water faucet. Plus, for family use, the A5 has a built-in nightlight, so you can easily use it day or night.

What We Didn’t Like:

9. Nutrichef Countertop Water Dispenser

As another slightly different option, this Nutrichef Water Dispenser is meant to sit on a countertop. It's perfect for homes with lots of counter space, but little room on the floor.

It’s similarly well suited to offices and can go on the counter next to coffee makers and other employee conveniences.

Like larger floor-model water dispensers, the Nutrichef countertop dispenser can use 3- and 5-gallon water jugs. It won’t run out of water any faster than a larger unit, but it saves on valuable space. It also has universal bottle compatibility, so you don’t have to buy any particular brand.

The cold water meets industry standards for icy water, at 40-45 degrees Fahrenheit. But, the hot water is a little cooler than most, 170-175 degrees instead of 185 degrees Fahrenheit.

The water cooling condenser also has quiet operation. It will quickly produce cold water, keeping up with high demand. Yet it’s quiet enough to avoid being an ear sore.

This model also has a child lock on the hot water dispenser. You don’t have to worry about your toddler getting burned. Even if they do make it up onto the counter.

What We Like:

Easily fits on the counter

Large water capacity

Installation is easy

Child lock on the hot water

Cold Setting is very cold

What We Didn’t Like:

10. Kuppet 2 in 1 Water Dispenser and Ice Maker

Our last water dispenser, the Kuppet 2 in 1 is a great option if you go through a lot of ice in the summer. The built-in ice dispenser is capable of producing up to 33lbs of ice in a single day. It can also run 24/7 without causing excessive wear and tear.

Unlike the other options on this list, the Kuppet 2 in 1 is only designed to produce ice and cold water. It's a better choice if you already had convenient hot water, or don't drink hot beverages regularly.You can choose between three different sizes of ice cube. Even if you leave it running all night, the system comes with built-in overflow protection. You won’t wake up to find ice all over the kitchen floor.

It takes 7-15 minutes to create ice. Perfect for sprains that need an ice-pack quickly, or for chilling drinks and making iced dessert.

Because it produces a high volume of ice, this machine is also great for entertaining. Whether it’s a dinner party or an office celebration, having plenty of ice on hand is important.

It also has a convenient LED indicator for when you need to replace the water. You can count on always having cold water available, even if you’re running through a lot of water and ice.

Energy-efficient enough for most RV's, but without an Energy Star Certification. It also has a slightly larger than average floor plan, so it's best in spaces with plenty of room.

What We Like:

Cold water always available

Quick ice production

Great for entertaining

What We Didn’t Like:

Final Verdict

Hopefully, this list gave you a better sense of what water dispensers are available. We've covered several different styles of dispensers and highlighted the most important features of each. Whether you’re shopping for your home or office, there are purpose-built machines available for you.